Coffee Lovers

[rockstar_not]

So, where does one buy one of these Aeropress thingamajigs?

[Strings4Him]

So, where does one buy one of these Aeropress thingamajigs?

Lots of places.  Try Amazon.

[funkstarfish]

its real easy to use too, and it basically cleans itself.  you just grind coffee, heat water, put in coffee, put in water, and press.  It forms a little "puck" of coffee that you juts dump in the bin or compost or garden and its almost clean.  its at least camping clean.  makes a strong or weak cup depending on how much coffee you use.  i use 16 - 20 grams per biggish mug.  ground around what you would for drip, maybe a touch more fine.  use water that is just cooler than boiling.  i usually boil it then wait 1 minute.

[prof_stack]

Here's my Aeropress ritual:  (it's all automatic now, so don't let all these steps confuse you)
- Heat a cup of water in the microwave.  Pour half of the water into the inverted tubes, resting the cap on tap with filter in place.
- Grind 10g of beans (Zassenhaus hand grinder).
- Heat a half-cup of water to 200F or so.
- Remove the water from the now warmed up tubes. 
- Dump the ground coffee into the tube.
- Add the water, stir briefly to mix well.
- Stir for 10-15 seconds.  Put the cap on.
- Bring the cup over the cap and turn it all over.
- Press the nectar into the cup. 
- Add hot water to taste (I usually have a small amount of hot frothed milk).
- Clean up, very fast with this system.

[rockstar_not]

I don't want to be a coffee snob, but I'm finding that as I get older, I'm getting that way.  Right now, I have 3 means of manufacture:

1.  A Mr. Coffee automatic drip.  Disappointing.  I had a very cheap old cone filter type drip maker that seemed to do a much better job - in-laws were visiting and accidentally broke the carafe. 
2.  8 'cup' Bodum French press  (cup in quotes because they are 4 oz. cups, I believe)
3.  3 'cup' Bodum French press at work.

While I like the flavor from 3 cup, the 8 cup doesn't work well for small batches - always weak for just a few cups.  I'm also tired of getting 'fiber' with my coffee.  No matter how coarse I grind, I always have to 'chew' the last half of a cup from the presses.

So, I may be ready to move on.  The Aeropress sounds very nice.  I became spoiled I suppose, at my previous place of employment where we had an automatic Capresso machine in the building, and for 25 cents, one could have a burr-ground espresso as fresh as one can imagine.  It was also where I learned that I really shouldn't do a double.  Heart-racing caffeine injections don't sit well with me 

So, this Aeropress thing sounds interesting.  I may ask for one for Father's day.

[Caleb]

I had a small Bodum press that I never could make a decent cup with. Got rid of it. The large one, as you point out, won't make a decent small batch. That's why mine sees little use. My stovetop perk makes great large and small pots.  I brewed up a medium roast this morning and mixed in some raw whole cow milk in the first cup. The best cup I've had in years. Scored the raw milk locally. Try it if you like creamy coffee. Can't stand all that fake cream. It's either milk or black for me.

[Denis]

I had a small Bodum press that I never could make a decent cup with. Got rid of it. The large one, as you point out, won't make a decent small batch. That's why mine sees little use. My stovetop perk makes great large and small pots.  I brewed up a medium roast this morning and mixed in some raw whole cow milk in the first cup. The best cup I've had in years. Scored the raw milk locally. Try it if you like creamy coffee. Can't stand all that fake cream. It's either milk or black for me.

I haven't used any dairy or whitener in my coffee for a few years now.  There's nothing as satisfying as a good hot cup of black coffee!  Although, I do like a good latte from time to time.  I have a stainless steel Bialetti stove-top espresso maker at home that I should really spruce up.  Man, that thing make stupendous coffee. 

[Danny]

I haven't used any dairy or whitener in my coffee for a few years now.  There's nothing as satisfying as a good hot cup of black coffee!  Although, I do like a good latte from time to time.  I have a stainless steel Bialetti stove-top espresso maker at home that I should really spruce up.  Man, that thing make stupendous coffee. 

I have an espresso maker. I hooked up a hose to the spigot and added a fitting to go in the 12th or 14th fret hole I drill out to loosen the neck joint for removal. It works really well.

[ryler]

You persuasive people have given me AAS.  (Careful how you pronounce that. ) Aeropress Acquisition Syndrome.  It's on order.  I'll let you know how it compares to the ever-so-messy but ever-so-tasty french press.

[funkstarfish]

Hey Ryler, they are different, you will not get the texture from the Aeropress that you do from the French press. 

but what you do get is a bit cleaner flavors, very good aroma, and the ease of 1 cup at a time with fast cleanup.

Also, dont be afraid to go outside the directions they give you.  I found the need to use hotter water, something like 195 -200.  I also let mine brew just a bit before pressing.  You can use more or less water or coffee for different effects.  sometimes i use just 1/3 of the chamber full of water to make an "Americano" style drink, and sometimes i use it to brew true coffee and fill the chamber.

So dont get frustrated if it doesnt work right the first time, i had to play a bit to get it right, but now its one of my faves.

I did french press this morning though 

[ryler]

Thanks, funkstar.  I'll bear that in mind and tweak to taste.

[prof_stack]

Hey Ryler, they are different, you will not get the texture from the Aeropress that you do from the French press. 

but what you do get is a bit cleaner flavors, very good aroma, and the ease of 1 cup at a time with fast cleanup.

Also, dont be afraid to go outside the directions they give you.  I found the need to use hotter water, something like 195 -200.  I also let mine brew just a bit before pressing.  You can use more or less water or coffee for different effects.  sometimes i use just 1/3 of the chamber full of water to make an "Americano" style drink, and sometimes i use it to brew true coffee and fill the chamber.

So dont get frustrated if it doesnt work right the first time, i had to play a bit to get it right, but now its one of my faves....

Well stated.  I use the inverted method to get a very clean cup and less crud on the filter, which I reuse about 3 times. 

When you're ready to try the inverted method, do a Youtube search about it.  It's pretty easy.

[funkstarfish]

yeah, i usually do the inverted method to let it brew a bit longer, like a french press.  But mine broke yesterday, haha, was drying it, and i dropped it and it must have hit the floor just right.

[prof_stack]

yeah, i usually do the inverted method to let it brew a bit longer, like a french press.  But mine broke yesterday, haha, was drying it, and i dropped it and it must have hit the floor just right.

Now that's just weird.  The AP is pretty darn indestructible.  They are pretty cheap on Amazon.  I got a 2 for 1 when I bought it, so a new box is ready if this one ever bites the dust.

[Danny]

On the road, McDonalds

[funkstarfish]

it is weird, and i was crushed.  to be honest, i was kinda shaking it to shake some of the water off before drying it with a towel.  during a downward shake, it slipped out of my grip and struck the floor with a bit more force than gravity.  Oops, not quite indestructible.  Ill get another here soon.

[Mr_LV19E]

MMMMMMM, Yummy and the second full press of the morning is steeping:

My wife picked some of this up yesterday and it is quite good.

[Caleb]

On the road, McDonalds

My choice when on the road too. 

[Strings4Him]

My wife picked some of this up yesterday and it is quite good.

I currently buy all my coffee from Trader Joes.  It is great coffee and well-priced.

[rockstar_not]

I got an Aeropress over the weekend.  I'm trying to understand how the inverted method does anything different than the 'normal' method, other than you can let the water mix with the grounds for a longer period of time since no leakage occurs through the filter.

Any other reasons why doing the inverted method may be better?